Ivy League - Group of 8 leading universities in the US

The Ivy League is a group of 8 of the oldest, most prestigious, and leading private universities in the Northeastern United States, renowned for their top-notch academic standards, extremely low enrollment rates, and large size

Currently, Ivy League schools are always considered prestigious schools and rank highly in the top universities in the world (U.S. News & World Report). All 8 of these schools are on the list of the highest-ranked universities in the US, students must show their academic ability, impress the examiners through interviews and personal essays to be admitted to the school.

See more: American education system: What's outstanding?

Ivy League schools are not only renowned for their excellent training but also for their reputation, prestige, and expanded career opportunities. Since its long history, the Ivy League has been the dream destination of every global international student.

Proud reputation and history

The Ivy League is known as a collection of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. In particular, Harvard University – founded in 1636 – boasts the oldest history, surpassing other schools for nearly 70 years. Even the school with the shortest seniority in the group, Cornell University, has been around since 1865.

The value of the Ivy League is not only in the knowledge that students receive. Many choose these schools because of the invaluable benefits not only during their studies but also in their long-term careers after graduation.

Specialization and extensive research

With a centuries-long history of formation and development, Ivy League schools have always been at the forefront of traditional academic and research-intensive fields. Each school in the group has its own strengths, from Medicine, Law, Business to Politics and Engineering.

Students here not only learn from excellent textbooks but also have access to a treasure trove of materials compiled by top professors themselves. In particular, these professors often spend many years researching in depth in their professional field, thereby imparting new knowledge and the most effective practice methods to students.

Career opportunities are wide open

Degrees from Ivy League schools are the "golden ticket" that helps students conquer top employers. Graduates from here not only can easily find jobs with attractive salaries, but they also have the potential to become future leaders.

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Education, the average income of Ivy League alumni when they first graduate can reach $60,000 a year – a figure that is superior to many other universities. This number will continue to increase according to the experience and work efficiency that you bring.

A place to nurture outstanding characters

The Ivy League is not only famous for the quality of education but also the cradle of a series of outstanding characters. From politicians and businessmen to talented artists, all have been associated with the Ivy League. Some typical faces include former US President Barack Obama (Columbia University, Harvard University), the first black writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature Toni Morrison (Cornell University), actress Emma Watson (Brown University) or Amazon founder Jeff Bezos (Princeton University).

Here is the full list and ranking of the Ivy League schools:

(*Based on U.S. News & World Report's 2026 National Universities Rankings.)

Brown University

Brown University is a private institution founded in 1764, located in the metropolitan area. Brown University is the seventh-oldest school in the U.S., known for its rigorous admissions policies and flexible academic programs. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,741 (fall 2023).

Some of the university's prominent majors are: Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Applied Mathematics, General, International Relations, Biology/Biological Sciences, General Education, with a tuition fee of $71,312.

Cornell University

Cornell University was founded in 1865, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 16,071 (fall 2023). The school is located in a rural area and the campus size is 745 acres. Cornell is the youngest Ivy League school with more than 4,000 diverse courses. The university stands out for its outstanding faculty, including more than 40 Nobel laureates.

Some of the university's outstanding majors include: Information and computer science as well as support services; Sales, Management, Marketing; Engineering; agricultural/animal/botanical/veterinary chemistry; Biological and biomedical sciences. Cost of studying in the U.S. at this school: tuition is $69,314 and living expenses are $19,428 (2024-25).

Columbia University

Columbia University is a private institution founded in 1754. Columbia has an international reputation with more than 90 Nobel Prizes from its alumni. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,902 (fall 2022). According to U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2026, Columbia University is ranked around #15 among the top National Universities in the United States.

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College is a private university founded in 1769, located in Hanover, New Hampshire – an area with a quiet and academic learning space. It is the smallest school in the Ivy League, with about 4,400 undergraduate students (fall 2023), creating a cohesive and highly personalized learning environment.

Dartmouth stands out in fields such as Social Sciences (especially Economics and Politics), Computer Science, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematics. The tuition fee for the 2024–2025 academic year is about 69,000 USD/year, excluding living expenses.

Harvard University

Harvard University was founded in 1636 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard is the oldest university in the United States and stands out for its most competitive admissions rate in the Ivy League. With an outstanding reputation, Harvard has produced seven U.S. presidents and 40 Nobel laureates.

Some of the university's prominent majors include, Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Anthropology and Statistics, Computer Science and Information and Support Services, and History. The annual tuition fee is $61,676, plus room and board, which is higher overall than others.

Princeton University

Princeton University is a private institution founded in 1746, located in the suburbs. According to U.S. News & World Report, Princeton continues to hold the No. 1 spot in the 2026 U.S. "National Universities" rankings. This is the place that has produced many scientists who have received the Fields Prize.

Princeton University's tuition fee is $62,400. The school stands out for disciplines such as Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Public Administration, and Social Services. Princeton focuses on research with institutes such as the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, and diverse training programs, particularly prominent in STEM.

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is a private institution founded in 1740, located in the metropolitan area. The University of Pennsylvania stands out for its title as a "billionaire training ground" and the highest percentage of international students in the Ivy League. The school specializes in training outstanding majors such as: Business, Management, Marketing; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Engineering; Information and Computer Science, with a tuition fee of $68,686.

Yale University

Yale University was founded in 1701 in New Haven, Connecticut, with approximately 6,800 undergraduate students (fall 2023). According to U.S. News & World Report's 2026 National Universities rankings, Yale is currently tied for #4 in the United States.

The university stands out in areas such as Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, as well as Humanities and Law. The tuition fee for the 2024–2025 academic year is about 69,000–70,000 USD/year, excluding living expenses.

See more: What major should I study in the US?

Each Ivy League school possesses its own strengths and achievements, creating an outstanding reputation in each field. With a long history, these schools often focus on traditional disciplines such as Medicine, Law, and Business, offering intensive training programs. Some of the prominent groups of disciplines in the Ivy League can be mentioned such as:

• Natural Sciences and Engineering: With leading fields such as Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Materials Engineering.

• Social Sciences: Featured in disciplines such as Economics, Psychology, and Business Administration.

• Medicine and Medicine: Featured with medicine and pharmacy programs.

• Arts and Humanities: The Ivy League focuses on Literature, History, Performing Arts, and many other creative fields.

• Law: The Ivy League has prestigious Law schools such as Yale Law School and Harvard Law School.

Is the Ivy League the only destination when studying in the US?

The Ivy League is the most prestigious group of universities in the United States. However, this is not the only path for you to access world-class education.

In addition to 8 Ivy League schools, the US also owns many top universities ranked high on global rankings such as:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Stanford University

• California Institute of Technology

• University of Chicago

These schools are not Ivy League but are regularly at the top of the QS World University Rankings and have outstanding strengths in areas such as STEM, Economics, Technology, and Scientific Research.

In addition to the private sector, the US also has a system of high-quality public universities with more reasonable costs, such as:

• University of California (including prominent campuses such as Berkeley, UCLA)

• University of Michigan

• University of Texas at Austin

These schools have large sizes, strong research budgets, and an extensive network of alumni across the globe.

IDP Vietnam accompanies you to build the right study abroad strategy

The journey to study in the U.S. is not just about choosing a prestigious school, but also about building a long-term academic and career strategy. Whether you're heading to the Ivy League or other top universities in the U.S., the most important thing is to find the right environment for your abilities, goals, and financial plans.

With more than 30 years of experience in the field of international education consulting, IDP Education not only helps you apply successfully, but also accompanies you from the initial orientation step to the official admission. IDP Vietnam will support you:

• Advice on choosing schools and majors according to personal profiles

• Essay Preparation Guide & Submission Strategies

• Assistance in finding scholarships to study in the USA

• Register for IELTS fast

• Track records via Fastlane feature on IDP Live app

Contact 19006955 hotline to get the most suitable study route consultant for you.

See also:

Top 15 Famous Universities in the US

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